Book 11, Question 14
Why Do Sloths Have Green Fur?
A sloth looks green because tiny green algae grow in its fur! Its hairs have small grooves, and the rain keeps them damp. Algae like that, so the sloth turns into a moving garden.
More fun facts
- Each strand of a sloth's fur has grooves where two kinds of blue green algae grow.
- The algae give sloths a green tint that helps them blend in with leaves.
- Blending in helps sloths avoid predators.
- The fur also houses ticks, mites, beetles and moths.
- The sloth moth lives only on sloth fur.
- Sloths, moths and algae form a three way partnership.
Sources: Smithsonian, National Geographic Kids, National Geographic
Questions kids ask
Is a sloth's fur naturally green?
No. The hair is brownish gray, and the green comes from algae growing in it.